1 Jan Ishikawa Prefecture Fireworks Festivals

Hokkoku Fireworks Festival Kanazawa Venue

The "Hokkoku Fireworks Festival Kanazawa Venue" (北國花火大会 金沢会場), held along the Saigawa Riverbed (犀川河川敷) flowing through the center of Kanazawa City (金沢市), is a beloved summer tradition for the city's residents. In 2026, it is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 25, as a "Reconstruction Support Event in Kanazawa," with approximately 12,000 fireworks illuminating the Kanazawa night sky. The continuous barrages of starmines are particularly impressive. The contrast between the city lights and the fireworks, characteristic of an urban fireworks festival, is also a major draw. Fireworks are planned to be launched with a message of hope and support for the recovery from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

• Date & Time (2026): Saturday, July 25, 2026, from around 7:50 PM to 9:15 PM (annually)
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station:
  • Mamedahonmachi Chisen Saigawa Riverbed (大豆田本町地先犀川河川敷) (around Ishikawa Prefectural Mamedakani Ground (石川県営まめだ簡易グラウンド))
  • Temporary shuttle buses are scheduled to operate from JR Kanazawa Station (JR金沢駅) (from Kanazawa Port Exit (West Exit Platform 1) (金沢港口（西口1番のりば）) and within Ishikawa Prefectural Seibu Ryokuchi Park (in front of the first base side of the Prefectural Baseball Stadium) (県西部緑地公園内（県立野球場一塁側前）)).
  • On the day, traffic regulations will be enforced on surrounding roads, and no parking will be provided for general visitors, so using public transportation or shuttle buses is essential. IC cards like SUICA can be used on local buses.
• Number of Fireworks & Attendees: Approx. 12,000 fireworks. Approx. 150,000 attendees (annually).
• Availability of Paid Seating: Paid viewing seats are usually set up on the riverbed. Please check the official website for details.
• Hidden Gems / Lesser-Known Spots:
  • Apita Kanazawa Store (アピタ金沢店) area: Visible from the parking lot, and sometimes special venues or food stalls are set up.
  • Ishikawa Prefectural Office Observation Lobby (石川県庁 展望ロビー) (19th floor): A bit far, but you can enjoy the fireworks elegantly while avoiding crowds.
  • Kanazawa Citizen's Art Village Plaza (金沢市民芸術村の広場): Known as a place where you can watch relatively leisurely.
  • Saigawa Ryokuchi Park (犀川緑地公園) (upstream/downstream from Mamedakani Ground): Slightly away from the main venue, so it tends to be less crowded.
• Google Maps Link for Venue: View Map

Katayamazu Onsen Noryo Fireworks Festival

The "Katayamazu Onsen Noryo Fireworks Festival" (片山津温泉納涼花火まつり), held at Katayamazu Onsen (片山津温泉) in Kaga City (加賀市), features fireworks launched from Shibayamagata Lake (柴山潟湖上). In 2026, it is scheduled to be held every night from Saturday, August 1, to Sunday, August 30, with approximately 200 fireworks illuminating the night sky daily. The inverted fireworks reflected on the lake surface are enchanting, and combined with the atmosphere of the hot spring town, they create a rich and emotional summer night. A summer festival (縁日) is also planned to be held at Yu no Moto Park (湯の元公園) during the period.

• Date & Time (2026): Every night from Saturday, August 1, to Sunday, August 30, 2026, from around 9:00 PM to 9:10 PM
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station:
  • Shibayamagata Lake (柴山潟湖上) (Kaga City)
  • From JR Hokuriku Main Line (JR北陸本線) "Kagaonsen Station" (加賀温泉駅), take a local bus for about 10 minutes and get off at the "Katayamazu Onsen" (片山津温泉) bus stop. IC cards like SUICA are accepted.
  • By car, it's about a 5-minute drive from the Hokuriku Expressway (北陸自動車道) "Katayamazu IC" (片山津IC). Free parking is available nearby, but congestion is expected.
• Number of Fireworks & Attendees: Approx. 200 fireworks daily. A total of approx. 6,000 fireworks during the period. Last year's attendance was approx. 100,000 people (during the period).
• Availability of Paid Seating: A fireworks sponsorship fee of 300 JPY (approx. $2 USD) is required for viewing from Yu no Moto Park (湯の元公園) to Ukimido (浮御堂) and Ukisanbashi (浮桟橋) (free for children under 3 and guests staying at Katayamazu Onsen). Some hot spring inns offer accommodation plans that include fireworks viewing.
• Hidden Gems / Lesser-Known Spots:
  • Shibayamagata Park (柴山潟公園) area: A spacious park along the lake, where you can watch the fireworks up close.
  • Lakeside Footbath "Engawa" (湖畔の足湯「えんがわ」) area: A luxurious spot where you can enjoy fireworks while soaking your feet in a footbath.
  • Guest rooms of inns in the hot spring town: If you book a room with a view of the fireworks, you can enjoy them in a private space.
• Google Maps Link for Venue: View Map

Notojima Mukoda Fire Festival Fireworks Display

The "Notojima Mukoda Fire Festival" (能登島向田の火祭), held annually on Notojima Island (能登島) in Nanao Bay (七尾湾), is a magnificent fire festival designated as an Ishikawa Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property. In 2026, it is scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 25. The sight of men throwing hand-held torches at a grand bonfire reaching 30 meters in height, igniting it and creating a colossal pillar of fire that scorches the night sky, is truly spectacular. It is a traditional event where the direction in which the burnt-out torch falls predicts a good catch or harvest, and fireworks are also launched at the climax of the festival, allowing visitors to enjoy a competition of fire and light.

• Date & Time (2026): Saturday, July 25, 2026, from around 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM (annually)
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station:
  • Notojima Mukoda-machi (能登島向田町) (around Iyahime Shrine (伊夜比咩神社))
  • From JR Nanao Line (JR七尾線) "Nanao Station" (七尾駅), take a bus towards Notojima. Get off at the "Mukoda" (向田) bus stop on the Notojima Kotsu Bus (能登島交通バス). IC cards like SUICA are accepted.
  • By car, cross the Notojima Ohashi Bridge (能登島大橋) and head towards Mukoda-machi. Traffic regulations and limited parking are expected on the day, so early arrival is recommended.
• Number of Fireworks & Attendees: Unknown (fireworks are held as part of the festival).
• Availability of Paid Seating: Unknown.
• Hidden Gems / Lesser-Known Spots:
  • Iyahime Shrine (伊夜比咩神社) area: The central location of the festival, where you can feel the power of the grand bonfire up close.
  • Notojima Ohashi Bridge (能登島大橋) area: A bit far, but offers a potential view of the entire Notojima Island and the fireworks in contrast.
• Google Maps Link for Venue: View Map

Hasebe Festival Fireworks Display

The "Hasebe Festival" (長谷部まつり), held annually in Anamizu-machi (穴水町), is a historic festival commemorating Lord Hasebe Nobutsura-ko (長谷部信連公), a samurai warrior from the Kamakura period (鎌倉時代). In 2026, it is scheduled to be held on Sunday, July 19. In addition to a samurai procession parading through the town, a lantern release and a fireworks display are held at night to pray for remembrance and reconstruction. For Anamizu-machi, which aims for recovery from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, this festival will be a symbol of regional revitalization and hope.

• Date & Time (2026): Sunday, July 19, 2026 (fireworks display held at night)
• Venue and Access from Nearest Station:
  • Anamizu-machi Shopping Street (穴水町商店街通り), Noto Railway Anamizu Station (のと鉄道穴水駅) area, Asunaro Hiroba (あすなろ広場) (Anamizu-machi)
  • Get off at Noto Railway Nanao Line (のと鉄道七尾線) "Anamizu Station" (穴水駅) (right next to the venue). IC cards like SUICA are accepted.
  • By car, it's right after the Noetsu Expressway (能越自動車道) "Anamizu IC" (穴水IC). Traffic regulations and limited parking may be in place on the day.
• Number of Fireworks & Attendees: Unknown (fireworks are held as part of the festival).
• Availability of Paid Seating: Unknown.
• Hidden Gems / Lesser-Known Spots:
  • Asunaro Hiroba (あすなろ広場) area: One of the central locations of the festival, likely offering good views of the fireworks.
  • Along Anamizu Bay (穴水湾): You might be able to enjoy the fireworks reflected on the bay.
• Google Maps Link for Venue: View Map

Tips for Enjoying Fireworks

Here are some tips for comfortably enjoying the fireworks festivals in Ishikawa Prefecture.

• Secure your spot early: Especially for large-scale festivals, good viewing spots fill up quickly. Bring a leisure sheet or folding chair and secure your spot early. Spot-claiming often begins in the evening, but popular spots may require even earlier preparation. For festivals like the Kawakita Festival, some people even place sheets the day before, so be aware.
• Packing list:
  • Leisure sheet, folding chair
  • Insect repellent spray, itch relief cream
  • Towel, uchiwa (paddle fan), sensu (folding fan)
  • Drinks, light snacks (consider if there are no stalls near the venue)
  • Trash bags (taking your trash home is standard practice)
  • Flashlight (useful for illuminating your path on the way back)
  • Mobile battery
• Use public transportation: The area around the venue gets very crowded, and parking is limited, so using public transportation is recommended. Temporary buses or increased train services may operate, so check service information in advance. Especially for the Kanazawa Venue and Kawakita Tournament, using shuttle buses is encouraged. JR Pass holders can use JR trains, and IC cards like SUICA are generally accepted on local trains and buses.
• Prepare for post-event crowds: After the fireworks display, the nearest stations and bus stops become extremely crowded. For the Kanazawa Venue, it's recommended to either move 10-15 minutes before the finale ("early departure") or wait about an hour at the venue before leaving ("dispersed departure"). Try to avoid the rush by leaving a little later or walking a bit further from the venue before using public transportation.
• Dress warmly: Even on summer nights, riverbeds and lakeside areas can get chilly. A light jacket or cardigan will provide comfort.
• Check toilet locations: Upon arrival at the venue, first locate the toilets. Temporary toilets are often set up, but they are expected to be crowded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can fireworks festivals be cancelled? A. Yes, they can be cancelled due to bad weather (strong winds, heavy rain, etc.), disasters, or social conditions. Decisions on whether to hold the event are often announced around noon on the day of the festival on official websites or local government websites. Always check the latest information before heading out.

Q. Is parking available near the venue? A. For large-scale fireworks festivals, temporary parking lots are often provided, but spaces are limited, and they become extremely crowded. Additionally, traffic regulations are enforced around the venue, so using public transportation is strongly recommended. Specifically, there is no parking for general visitors at the Kanazawa Venue.

Q. Can I bring food and drinks? A. Generally, bringing food and drinks is allowed, but some venues may have restrictions. Please check the rules for each festival, especially regarding bringing and consuming alcohol. Always take your trash home.

Q. Can I bring pets? A. Many fireworks festivals discourage bringing pets due to potential issues in crowded areas and stress from the loud noises of fireworks. With the exception of assistance dogs such as guide dogs, please refrain from bringing pets or confirm with the organizers in advance.

Q. Which is better, paid seating or free seating? A. The biggest advantage of paid seating is that you don't have to worry about securing a spot and can enjoy the fireworks leisurely. Often, seats close to the launch site or with unobstructed views are secured. Free seating offers the freedom to choose your spot, but securing a good location requires early action and a readiness for crowds. Please choose according to your viewing style.

Q. Will fireworks festivals be held in 2026 due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake? A. The Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024 caused extensive damage, particularly in the Noto region. For the 2026 fireworks festivals, each local government and organizer is carefully considering the holding of events, taking into account the recovery status and local conditions. There is a possibility that the scale of events may be reduced or cancelled, especially in heavily affected areas. Some festivals, like the Wajima Citizens' Festival Fireworks Display (輪島市民まつり花火大会), have already announced cancellations for 2026. Please check the official websites of each festival and local government announcements for the latest information.

References

• Ishikawa Style
• Rurubu
• Event & Sightseeing National Outing Guide!
• Wakka Hokuriku
• Hot Ishikawa Tabinet
• Kanazawa Biyori
• Kanazawa Tabimonogatari
• Katayamazu Onsen Tourist Association Official Website
• Fireworks Festival 2026
• HOTEL AO KANAZAWA
• Jalan.net
• Hokuriku Odekake Navi (OdekakeNavi)
• Wajima Citizens' Festival
• Kanazawa Cycle Parking
• 【2026】Hokuriku Fireworks Festival Schedule & Cancellation List
• Sora Hanabi 2026
• SBSEASON
• Nanao City
• Hokuriku